16:30 Friday: The Most Likely Crash Time

Continental Tyres today issued a warning to motorists that between 16:00 and 17:00 on a Friday afternoon is the most common time for car accidents to occur and in November when it’s dark, cold and often wet at this time – the risk increases further. In 2005, there were 2,454 accidents on UK roads at this time – that’s 35 per cent more than occurred from 08:00 – 09:00 and nearly 50 per cent more than occurred between 09:00 and 10:00on Friday mornings.

This risk is reportedly even greater in November – the most common month of the year for car crashes, with nearly 10 per cent more accidents occurring than in October. With temperatures averaging just 6 degrees Celsius this November and with the sun setting before 16.30, motorists are advised to take extra care. In total, there are nearly 6,500 more accidents involving cars on the UK’s roads in winter compared to summer.

In addition to heavy traffic and drivers being tired at the end of the week weather is another important consideration. And whilst drivers can improve their chances on the road by adjusting their driving to suit the winter conditions, they should think about their tyres’ performance when the temperature drops below 7°C this month. This is when the compound used in normal car tyres starts to harden, causing the tyres to lose grip on the road. Continental’s answer? Cold weather tyres.

On ice, a car fitted with cold weather tyres will stop 11 metres shorter than on conventional tyres, 8 metres shorter in snow, and 5 metres shorter on cold, wet roads.

Tracey Hyem, brand manager at Continental said: “Driving in winter provides different challenges for motorists and even if there isn’t snow and ice on the roads, drivers still need to think about driving carefully. Fitting cold weather tyres is one way to help ensure a safer driving experience and hopefully reduce the number of accidents that take place.”